I would consider patient health even before the re-imbursement issues. We are "perched" on top of the hospital (hospital based snf) which is one reason it is so hard to convince everyone that back "downstairs" is better for the patient - as well as for us. Staffing is another issue. Here is my 'devil's advocate' list of some questions you need answered: Do you have the ability to staff well enough to cover for the 2-4 hours needed for a trasnfusion. There are strict rules about how long blood can be out of the fridge before it is hung. How are you getting the blood from the supplier? Have you thought about the type & cross bracelet identification needed? If there is a reaction, do you have osme one who can draw a total bili to determine if it is a true reaction, vs a febrile reaction - and not onlyu draw, run it STAT so you know if you can finish the unit or return it to the lab for re-processing to deterimine if an error was made. These are just SOME of the policies we have in place for transfusions. Like I said there is a very strict process involved, and being off-site from the hospital is probably the biggest concern in all of it - since people can die rapidly from an acute trasnfusion reaction, especially the elderly. You might see if you can get a copy of the hospitals policy for trasnfusions, and reactions, if you don't already have one. Good luck.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Lisa Pippin Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 3:37 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: RE: Blood admin Well the main thing is are we doing the right thing by the pt we are 2 miles from the hospital if they had a allergic reaction that went totally CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email reply or by telephone and immediately delete this message and any attachments. Call us at (217) 464-2864. /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
